Floriography: Red Roses

Chapter 4

Trace threw her body onto the sofa. It was his first love confession. Well, he didn't say love anyway, he said like. But still, after admitting that he understood himself so deeply, then expressing his love for her was too shocking for Trace.

The picture of Grace with him and his family hanging on the wall near the television reminded him of his promise he had just made, that he would tell Grace when the shock had reached his life. Now that the surprise had just reached Trace's life, did he have to say it now?

Trace let out a tired breath, then glanced towards the wall clock. The clock is at nine. I don't know what time it's at Grace's now. Even Trace doesn't know where Grace is right now.

Trace's cell phone ringing made the girl jump, then quickly reached into her handbag and pulled out her white phone and stuck it to her ear.

“Halo?”

“Trace, not sleeping?”

“Not yet, geez, Vi, you should know what just happened to me.” Without having to check the name of the caller, Tracy can already know well the voice of who is at the end of the connection.

“Alright, I'm ready to listen, but I have a question first for you and then you can tell.”

“What?”

“Jasper wants me to ask you in case you know about Grace's whereabouts now.”

“Oh? Hm...” Trace yawned, then groaned small. “Not so long ago Grace had sent me an e-mail anyway, but she hasn't told me where she is, and I got back to her yesterday. Usually he just replied two weeks later. You know for yourself that Gracy doesn't like to hold a cell phone. Plus the new manager is kind of a bitch."

“Oh.” The voice across the line sounded disappointed. “Have it been. What did you say you wanted to tell me?" 

“Ah!” Tracy almost forgot about the confession earlier, and suddenly her heart was racing back quickly.“I, just met my Junior High friend, he sent me a message saying he got my number from you.”

“Hm...” Connection sounded silent for a while. “Which one is it? It feels like not a few are asking for your number.”

“Name Steve Elmer, if you remember.”

Connection silence again for a few moments.“Oho! Yes, yes, the guy whose taste is a bit strange is yes.”

Trace laughed, apparently Steve is indeed considered a strange reader by any writer. “Yes, the taste is a bit strange. And well, he said he liked me since Junior High, and suddenly seemed to be able to laugh at my feelings from my deepest inner layers.”

“Hm, you are easy to read, Trace. But this seems to be the first time you've told me about a guy since. Since a long time."

“Okay, not that. As easy as I read, I don't think it can get that detailed. We haven't seen each other in nearly five years. His words felt like he could even guess things I could say but I hadn't noticed before. You know, don't you, I mean?"

“Oh, yes? What kind of things?”

“Ya.. like about me being sheltered behind the truthGracedand being sacrificed.”

“Ha? What?”

Trace took her breath. “I took refuge behind Grace's fame and became a victim. It's as if I sacrificed myself for Grace.”

“A-ah..”

Trace snorted, then lay down on her sofa while throwing her handbag on the floor. “After a long time we did not meet, it is more or less quite magical.”

“He's handsome?" 

“Excellent!" Tracy threw her hand overboard in excess. "I mean he used to be geeky and just plain—even though I liked him a lot because he looked cool when he was concentrating, he said, but now suddenly he looks like adventurer men who are sexy and brown-skinned, with eyes that are also brown and completely washed away.”

“Then what are you waiting for? He's kind and handsome, and –understandings if you think. It's a good opportunity, Trace.”

“Ngak.” Trace patted her cheek. “More other things that need my attention at this time.”

“Ngak." Violetta clicked her tongue. "There's not a lot of things that need your attention. You only have two things you need to deal with, a series of love books and a handsome man. I'm sure it'll be easy for you to succeed both."

“Really?” Trace suddenly felt hopeful. Violetta's laughter sounded from there.

“Hei! You're Tracy Manson. You are beautiful, charming, versatile and sweet. Everyone can die for you.”

“Ih." Tracy grinned disgusted. "Of all the people dying for me is a bit excessive. You wrote too many fiction novels, Vi.”

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The sound of heavy breathing could be heard from Louis Troy's phone call.

“Unfortunately no. Violetta had called Gracy's sister and she said that Gracy rarely held a cell phone and they used to contact her through an e-mail that Gracy would reply once every two weeks. Looks like our project can't wait that long." 

“Surely he doesn't know? It could be, right, Grace had asked her sister to reason if anyone asked."

“Hm, I don't think it's possible. Violetta has been friends with Grace for years. He was sure one hundred percent was not just an excuse.”

This time it was Louis who let out his breath. “Then let me search again. Thanks Jasp. Let me know again.”

"Okay, Lou." 

Then the phone was closed. Once again Louis sighed to calm down the lump of resentment that had begun to accumulate in his heart.

Where else would he go looking for Gracy Manson? Why is it so hard to meet him? Louis is also a famous photographer, if manager Gracy had heard his name maybe he would have changed his mind. Louis knows, Gracy is famous. She is moving between countries now for photo shoots and collaborating with outside singers. It's obviously going to be hard to find Gracy.

“Louis.”

The young photographer looked back, and Paul walked up to him..

“I got the phone number of manager Gracy Manson, do you still need?”

Suddenly the light on Louis's face returned, and he jumped to his feet.

“Yes! Paul's! You saved me. Thanks.”

Paul just waved his hand and walked back to the computer to see the results of photos of Louis from France last time.

Without a second thought Louis took his phone and dialed the number Paul had just given him on a small piece of paper in his hand. Louis waited for the connection to be lifted, but as he suspected, the first experiment was unlikely to work and he again tried. The result remains the same, not lifted. Louis breathed out a loud breath.

He knows he has to be patient. With that patience, there will be a chance Louis can actually photograph Gracy Manson.

I hope that.

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It's been two weeks since manager Gracy's phone number was in her hands. And he tries to contact her every day. But not a single phone call made it in. Whether it's because it's busy, out of reach, or being inactive.

But that didn't stop Louis from going after Gracy Manson. Again the man tried to

the number given by the manager. This time connected, but not necessarily lifted, as before..

“Halo?”

Louis was aghast, then sat up straight. His heart was beating twice as fast and his throat felt outside

ordinary dry.

“Ha-hello?” Louis cleared his throat as his voice flashed hoarsely.

“Who is this?”

“Ah, s-I am Louis Troya, photographer, I happen to be doing a project with Jasper Kendrick, I think you must have heard."

“Oh.” The man was silent for a moment. “Ya, yes. We met once. What's up?”

"Concidentally Mr. Kendrick and her fiance Miss Nakajima from Naka Team will create a new brand and boutique selling casual clothes, we would like to offer a partnership with Miss Manson to promote our clothes in her catalog. Can I meet you and Miss Manson to discuss this partnership?" Louis tried to explain as best he could.

“Hm...” The man sighed long.“It just so happens that Grace's schedule is very tight. Not a few photographers were queuing up for Grace's free time, but unfortunately not now, Mr..”

“Troya, Louis Troy. Would you like to consider a meeting for me to explain this concept, Sir? I'm sure one hundred percent, this contract will give an advantage to Ms. Manson.”

“Boleh then. Gracy will be in Kyoto next week, exactly 7 days away. And maybe we can meet there when Gracy's on the loose. About the place and time we will call again. Sorry, Mr. Troy, but I have to go now.”

Then without saying goodbye, the phone call was decided. Louis laughed a little, then cheered happily. He was really happy now, a bit of relief came to his heart, after a long time of feeling so much worry. At least he knows where Gracy is next week.